Well make that two:
- me
- the bike
The curse of Barry Knows Best cast its shadow over me on Sunday, making me the latest Muddymoler to suffer.
I just can’t get enough of Holmbury and Pitch and have been exploring lots of late. In fact, I haven’t suffered the trip to the top of Ranmore for 5 weeks – it was boring me to tears.
Sunday morning saw me plan a BNM (Billy No Mates) ride – unable to fit in with the normal schedule, I headed out real early with my GPS to ‘discover’ some more of the fine trails on offer in the area.
There’s a risk to riding alone and oh so predictably, I lobbed it. It was one of those rides when really, I should have taken the hint, turned around and gone home after a very minor and unintentional trip into the bushes early on.
After that, I seemed to fall into the trap of looking at my front wheel – not the best thing when going down BKB. So I lost the front and went superman style towards a felled tree. My hands saved my face, but not my ribs, shoulder or shin.
Having dusted myself down and whinced (not minced – I have got rid of those gloves!) on my way, I found my left shifter bent beyond use.
Undeterred, I headed up onto Pitch and consoled myself by riding the T trails before heading back to Holmbury, blasting round Surfer Rosa, then down Telegraph Road back to the car.
Unlike Matt, I’ll spare you the images of the damage. In future, I’ll save the BNM trips to the more unchallenging stuff. I got away with it this time but it shows the value of some company should the worst happen.
Stay upright.
Matt says:
Too bad Colin, you wouldn’t be the first to get caught out on BKB (though normally it’s the Waterfall drop at the end). Hopefully not too much harm done.
At least your bent shifter gives you another retail opportunity!
Ironically we were out last night across Ranmore, very fast with the dry trails, with a few changes thrown in for variety. Fun but not a patch on Pitch/Holmbury.
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Posted on June 20, 2008 at 9:40 am
Colin says:
I don’t need more retail opportunities Matt, I’m trying to curb my spending in light of the economic climate!
That said, my chain was knackered and the worn drive sprockets aren’t getting on too well with a new chain. I thought I might get away with it with only 800 miles or so on the whole drive chain but alas no.
I can feel the draw of those bling-bling jockey wheels again…..
Your comment made me realise, it wasn’t dry Ranmore I was bored with, it was wet Ranmore, so hopefully we can head up there on Sunday. Landrover Descent in the dry would be a new and fun experience.
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Posted on June 20, 2008 at 3:31 pm